Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 3B/SS Tate Hammond
February 14, 2025
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VENTURA, CALIF. - The Uncommitted Spotlight Series returns as we stare straight ahead towards the 2025 CIF High School baseball rapidly approach for the '26 class. With than in mind Prep Baseball California is highlighting some of the top uncommitted class of '26 athletes for college programs to be following come this spring. The player featured today is one of the top players in the state of California and figures prominently in our Class of 2026 Rankings.
We invite you to get to know them through the eyes of our Prep Baseball California staff of scouts both through our in person looks at players and/or the data-backed numbers collected at our events with our partnered companies. TrackMan, Blast Motion, and VALD Performance provide comparable data to project and evaluate players. All of these systems come together to give a clear picture at what colleges will get when a players steps onto their campus.
Today, we put the spotlight on the #160 ranked player in the 2026 class in SoCal '26 3B/SS Tate Hammond from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, Calif.. The LH hitting versatile defender both saw significant time on the varsity level at Long Beach Poly and also put together a very solid performance during his Soph. campaign. In 85 plate appearances with 70 at bats he posted a slash line of .329/.424/.371 with 3 doubles amongst his 23 hits while driving in 11 runs and scoring 15 himself. In addition, he showed a strong approach with a 10 BB - 5 K ratio over the season with a 1.000 fielding percentage manning 1B for the Jackrabbits as a Soph.
Hammond has been a 3x strong performer at Prep Baseball California events starting with a solid showing at the 2024 CA State Games which he followed up with another good look at the 2024 Ventura County Uncommitted Games then kick started his 2025 with another good apperance at the 2025 Inland Empire Preseason All State event. Standing 5'10 and checking in at 187.6 lbs. presently with solid athletic ability in his profile with a 7.07 60 time while posting 1.67 10-yard / 3.93 30-yard splits at his best with a 19.9 MPH max run speed. His hands/feet are solid with good actions that profile best as 3B, but does flash some future potential (added arms strength/athleticism) to potentially play up the middle at 2B/SS.
His strong Soph. season stats have been backed up by a good showing across the 3 looks are staff has had at him at the various events with his swing metrics and batted ball data. On Blast Motion the LH hitting Hammond has posted bat speed up to 72.4 MPH while showing high quality hand speed at 22.2 MPH with an explosive turn that generates up to 28.4 Gs of rotational acceleration. During his various batting practice sessions he has been a consistent performer who shows impact in the profile with a solid feel for his barrel/hard contact by posting a top end exit velocity at 98.5 MPH while averaging 88.1 MPH with a personal best presently of 367' and a 60% hard hit rate. His swing has consistent feel for producing leverage through the zone from a slightly uphill path that posted between 58% to 70 % flyball-line drive rates during batting practice sessions.
With a solid LH hitting profile that has performed at a good rate on the varsity level early in his High School career. While also showing versatility to his defensive profile by carrying legitimate potential to play 3 of the 4 INF spots, with some potential for SS, there is plenty to like about Hammond as a strong follow for college programs in their 2026 recruiting classes.
College coaches and fans be sure to click on Hammond's profile to see full video and information.
Upcoming Events
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| Orange County Rising Stars ID | CA | 03/02/25 | Mater Dei High School |
| Central California Rising Stars ID | CA | 03/23/25 | Ventura College |
| Inland Empire Rising Stars ID | CA | 03/30/25 | Corona High School |
| Los Angeles Rising Stars ID | CA | 04/27/25 | O'Malley Field |
Scouting Report
Tate Hammond, Long Beach polytechnic HS (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/SS LH hitter who shows interesting present feel to hit with authority and projects to stay on the INF dirt.
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Solid present build that shows some strength to it with some room to continue adding.
Hit: LHH. Narrow foot set up with open stance and taller posture. Hands are set around ear height at depth of the rear shoulder with a higher back elbow. Shows bat waggle with barrel tipped over head. Short leg lift with short stride into an aggressive turn that sinks slightly into rear leg with quickness in hips and rear shoulder. Hands work down and then up through the ball with uphill bat path to lift the baseball. 67.9 mph bat speed with 22 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 88.1 mph. 355' max distance. Strong present top end exit velocity with ability to get the ball in the air with a middle/pull approach that has doubles power to gaps with pullside HR power.
Arm: RH. INF-77 mph. medium length arm circle with loose quick arm stroke. Shows feel to throw from different slots. Will need to add strength as he matures.
Defense: Athletic mover with good feet and confidence his actions. Can play 1-2 handed with comfort going laterally can polish going downhill. 2B/3B profile.
ATH: 7.18 runner in the 60. 1.67 and 3.93 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. Drives off the line with burst and ability to get to top speed quickly while showing body control. 26.40 max vertical.